IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i7p3777-d777588.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Effects of Green Plants on the Indoor Environment and Wellbeing in Classrooms—A Case Study in a Swedish School

Author

Listed:
  • Itai Danielski

    (Department of Applied Physics and Electronics, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden)

  • Åsa Svensson

    (Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden)

  • Kerstin Weimer

    (Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden)

  • Lena Lorentzen

    (Design AB, 828 91 Edsbyn, Sweden)

  • Maria Warne

    (Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden)

Abstract

Many schools in Sweden lack a proper indoor environment due to, e.g., poor thermal-envelope properties, overcrowded classes, poor visual appearance and insufficient ventilation. This study aims to explore the integration of a large number of indoor green plants into classrooms’ environments. This case study consists of three parts: measurements of the indoor environment including a final energy model, a questionnaire to the pupils with questions about their well-being and qualitative interviews with teachers. The case was two classrooms in a secondary education facility in central Sweden with an average annual temperature of 3 °C and a long and dark winter period with snow. The results showed 10% lower CO 2 and slightly higher and more stable temperatures due to the green plants. Worries about climate change and war among the pupils decreased after several months with the plants and worry about infectious disease increased. The teachers experienced fresher air from the plants and used the plant stands for a flexible classroom design. The conclusion is that indoor plants have the potential to contribute to a better indoor environment, but due to the high number of uncontrolled variables (including the effect of COVID-19) in measurements of real-life conditions, more studies are needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Itai Danielski & Åsa Svensson & Kerstin Weimer & Lena Lorentzen & Maria Warne, 2022. "Effects of Green Plants on the Indoor Environment and Wellbeing in Classrooms—A Case Study in a Swedish School," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-23, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:3777-:d:777588
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/7/3777/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/7/3777/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alexander Pichlhöfer & Eldira Sesto & Jutta Hollands & Azra Korjenic, 2021. "Health-Related Benefits of Different Indoor Plant Species in a School Setting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-28, August.
    2. Candace Currie & Saoirse Nic Gabhainn & Emmanuelle Godeau, 2009. "The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children: WHO Collaborative Cross-National (HBSC) Study: origins, concept, history and development 1982–2008," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 54(2), pages 131-139, September.
    3. Ke-Tsung Han & Li-Wen Ruan, 2019. "Effects of Indoor Plants on Self-Reported Perceptions: A Systemic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-26, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Maria M. Serrano-Baena & Rafael E. Hidalgo Fernández & Carlos Ruiz-Díaz & Paula Triviño-Tarradas, 2023. "Promoting the Sustainable Recovery of Hospitality in the Post-Pandemic Era: A Comparative Study to Optimize the Servicescapes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-23, January.
    2. Florian Teichmann & Azra Korjenic & Marijana Sreckovic & Hannes Veit & Dominik Hartmann, 2023. "Financing Green Infrastructure in Schools: A Case Study in Austria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-23, October.
    3. Saranathan Pragati & Radhakrishnan Shanthi Priya & Chandramouli Pradeepa & Ramalingam Senthil, 2023. "Simulation of the Energy Performance of a Building with Green Roofs and Green Walls in a Tropical Climate," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, January.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yue Yang & Kai Hu & Yibiao Liu & Zhihuang Wang & Kaihong Dong & Peijuan Lv & Xing Shi, 2023. "Optimisation of Building Green Performances Using Vertical Greening Systems: A Case Study in Changzhou, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-30, March.
    2. Petr Badura & Erik Sigmund & Andrea Madarasova Geckova & Dagmar Sigmundova & Jan Sirucek & Jitse P van Dijk & Sijmen A Reijneveld, 2016. "Is Participation in Organized Leisure-Time Activities Associated with School Performance in Adolescence?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(4), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Néboa Zozaya & Laura Vallejo, 2020. "The Effect of the Economic Crisis on Adolescents’ Perceived Health and Risk Behaviors: A Multilevel Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-14, January.
    4. Junfang Xie & Binyi Liu & Mohamed Elsadek, 2021. "How Can Flowers and Their Colors Promote Individuals’ Physiological and Psychological States during the COVID-19 Lockdown?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-15, September.
    5. Tatiana Armijos Moya & Marc Ottelé & Andy van den Dobbelsteen & Philomena M. Bluyssen, 2021. "The Effect of an Active Plant-Based System on Perceived Air Pollution," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-16, August.
    6. Rachel McMillan & Michael McIsaac & Ian Janssen, 2016. "Family Structure as a Correlate of Organized Sport Participation among Youth," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(2), pages 1-12, February.
    7. Marina Carvalho & Cátia Branquinho & Margarida Gaspar Matos, 2021. "Cyberbullying and Bullying: Impact on Psychological Symptoms and Well-Being," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(1), pages 435-452, February.
    8. Candace Currie & Dorothy Currie & Leonardo Menchini & Chris Roberts & Dominic Richardson, 2011. "Comparing Inequality in the Well-being of Children in Economically Advanced Countries: A methodology," Papers inwopa651, Innocenti Working Papers.
    9. Yi-Ching Lin & Chung-Ying Lin, 2018. "Minor Symptoms Talk: How Children React to Encountered Bullying," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 11(6), pages 1755-1768, December.
    10. Fernando Fonseca & Marina Paschoalino & Lígia Silva, 2023. "Health and Well-Being Benefits of Outdoor and Indoor Vertical Greening Systems: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-18, February.
    11. Barbara Ester Adele Piga & Gabriele Stancato & Nicola Rainisio & Marco Boffi, 2021. "How Do Nature-Based Solutions’ Color Tones Influence People’s Emotional Reaction? An Assessment via Virtual and Augmented Reality in a Participatory Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-25, December.
    12. Erin L Faught & Doug Gleddie & Kate E Storey & Colleen M Davison & Paul J Veugelers, 2017. "Healthy lifestyle behaviours are positively and independently associated with academic achievement: An analysis of self-reported data from a nationally representative sample of Canadian early adolesce," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(7), pages 1-14, July.
    13. Fumarco, Luca & Baert, Stijn, 2018. "Younger and Dissatisfied? Relative Age and Life-satisfaction in Adolescence," MPRA Paper 89968, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Nathalie Moreau & András Költő & Honor Young & Florence Maillochon & Emmanuelle Godeau, 2019. "Negative feelings about the timing of first sexual intercourse: findings from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(2), pages 219-227, March.
    15. Gina Martin & Joanna Inchley & Alan Marshall & Niamh Shortt & Candace Currie, 2019. "The neighbourhood social environment and alcohol use among urban and rural Scottish adolescents," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(1), pages 95-105, January.
    16. Katharina Rathmann & Timo-Kolja Pförtner & Klaus Hurrelmann & Ana M. Osorio & Lucia Bosakova & Frank J. Elgar & Matthias Richter, 2016. "The great recession, youth unemployment and inequalities in psychological health complaints in adolescents: a multilevel study in 31 countries," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(7), pages 809-819, September.
    17. David S. Evans & Anne O’Farrell & Aishling Sheridan & Paul Kavanagh, 2023. "Social Connectedness and Smoking among Adolescents in Ireland: An Analysis of the Health Behaviour in Schoolchildren Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-11, April.
    18. Yuxiang Lan & Qunyue Liu, 2023. "The Restorative and Contingent Value of Biophilic Indoor Environments in Healthcare Settings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-15, July.
    19. Nielsen, Line & Koushede, Vibeke & Vinther-Larsen, Mathilde & Bendtsen, Pernille & Ersbøll, Annette Kjær & Due, Pernille & Holstein, Bjørn E., 2015. "Does school social capital modify socioeconomic inequality in mental health? A multi-level analysis in Danish schools," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 35-43.
    20. Timo-Kolja Pförtner & Bart Clercq & Michela Lenzi & Alessio Vieno & Katharina Rathmann & Irene Moor & Anne Hublet & Michal Molcho & Anton Kunst & Matthias Richter, 2015. "Does the association between different dimension of social capital and adolescent smoking vary by socioeconomic status? a pooled cross-national analysis," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 60(8), pages 901-910, December.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:3777-:d:777588. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.